The 6 Most Powerful Female Warriors in Wakanda History

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The Disney+ animated series, titled “Eyes of Wakanda“, reveals a rich history of fierce female warriors in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Wakanda, dating back thousands of years. Unlike the traditional female Black Panthers who are royalty, these warriors are often outsiders dedicated to protecting their nation, even defeating entire armies. The Dora Milaje are the most noticeable among them, but they are not alone; other female warriors include members of Wakanda’s secret police, known as the Dogs of War. These characters underscore that there is much more to this technologically advanced African nation than just its king, and it is these strong women who have ensured its survival throughout history.

Let’s explore some of the mightiest Wakandan warriors and Black Panthers in Marvel Comics lore. Note that this list excludes characters who first appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, such as Noni.

6) Aneka & Ayo (The Midnight Angels)

Aneka and Ayo share a tumultuous past within the realm of Wakanda. Originally recruited for the Dora Milaje, Ayo initially met Aneka with animosity. However, their relationship evolved into something deeper – love, which marked a significant turning point in their lives. An act of heroism by Aneka, where she defended women from a violent chieftain, resulted in Queen Ramonda sentencing her to death. Unwilling to accept this verdict, Ayo stole the Midnight Wngel armor prototypes and orchestrated Aneka’s escape. As outcasts, these two women devoted themselves to safeguarding those in Wakanda who were often neglected by the Royal Family. Their actions, even challenging T’Challa, were unstoppable when Kenzi intervened. In time, Shuri negotiated a truce between them and T’Challa. The establishment of Wakanda’s democratic government was largely due to the Midnight Angels’ relentless efforts.

5) Nakia

In contrast to her portrayal in Marvel Comics, Nakia in the MCU is depicted as T’Challa’s deepest love, who ultimately leaves Wakanda to work as a spy due to his reluctance to fully commit. On the other hand, in the comic books, Nakia and Okoye were childhood friends who both trained to become Dora Milaje, developing feelings for T’Challa that remained unreturned. This led to Nakia’s emotional instability and eventual transformation into the villain Malice, as she became obsessed with T’Challa and even allowed herself to be genetically altered by Killmonger, enhancing her powers in the process.

4) Shuri

In Black Panther lore, Shuri stands out as the sole individual who earned Bast’s respect by assuming the role of Black Panther without relying on the power-granting herb. Bast can deny its powers to anyone deemed unworthy by the Panther goddess. Both Killmonger and Shuri were considered unworthy initially, but Shuri took up the mantle nonetheless, demonstrating bravery in defending Wakanda. In recognition of her courage, Bast bestowed upon her the powers of the Black Panther as a mark of respect. Besides her abilities from the herb, Shuri is a formidable warrior and boasts one of the sharpest minds in Wakanda, often outsmarting opponents even in situations where physical combat isn’t possible.

3) Queen Nehanda the Wise

Queen Nehanda the Wise, a renowned figure, stands among the most distinguished Black Panther warriors throughout history. She allied herself with the Avengers of a thousand years ago. At just 20 years old, she demonstrated her power by defeating her brother in ritual combat, ascending to become the second queen of Wakanda. Nehanda was also the second Black Panther after Mosi to venture beyond Wakanda’s borders to aid in the fight against a global peril. During this time, she even used Mjolnir in battle when a wounded Thor was unable to do so. Notably, Nehanda is the Black Panther who established the Dora Milaje for the protection of the queen. Unlike many other Black Panthers, Nehanda also possesses sorcery skills, allowing her to perform feats that future generations would only be able to replicate with technology.

2) Okoye

Among her generation, Okoye stands out as the most formidable Dora Milaje warrior. She underwent training alongside her childhood companion Nakia, but unlike Nakia’s infatuation with T’Challa, Okoye’s dedication was solely focused on honing her warrior skills. This unwavering commitment earned her the title of Wakanda’s mightiest warrior.

Okoye stood by T’Challa during his most challenging times and managed to win his trust significantly, earning a pivotal role in the Agents of Wakanda, an undercover intelligence agency that T’Challa established while serving as the Avengers’ Chairman. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Okoye is a significant figure, and her power is mirrored by her counterpart in the comics, who is second only to one individual when it comes to shielding Wakanda from external threats.

1) Storm

Born outside of Wakanda, Storm wasn’t initially part of the nation. However, when she tied the knot with T’Challa in one of Marvel Comics’ standout Black Panther storylines, she became an integral part of Wakanda. Even after their marriage ended due to her alliance with the mutants during Avengers vs. X-Men and Namor’s destruction of Wakanda, Storm remained a steadfast ally to the nation. Ororo and T’Challa shared a history that dated back to their youth, and their love story was truly remarkable. This relationship proved invaluable when Wakanda faced formidable external threats, as Storm is an Omega-Level mutant with the ability to manipulate all aspects of weather and atmosphere without limit. In addition, she serves as the Avatar of Life, making her a divine figure as well. Although not genetically Wakandan, Storm stands as the most powerful defender whenever the country calls upon her strength.

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2025-08-09 22:56